WEBVTT REDEFINING AUTISM IN THEPROGRAMS IN BALTIMORE, PREPARINGAUTISTIC ADULTS FOR THE FUTURE.>> WHEN I WAS YOUNG I WOULDFLAP.SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE RATHERELABORATE.I WOULD SIT ON THE FLOOR ANDSPIN.>> HE CALLS HIMSELF THE ARTISTICWEREWOLF, THAT'S HOW HEDESCRIBES HIS INTERNAL STRUGGLEWITH AUTISM.EVERYBODY, WITH THE EXCEPTIONOF MY PARENTS BELIEVE THAT IWOULD NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING.I WAS TOLD THAT SO MUCH THAT IBELIEVED IT.>> FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES HELIVED IN SECTION EIGHT HOUSINGAND BARELY WORKED.HIS LIFE IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENTNOW.HE OWNS A CONDO OVERLOOKINGBALTIMORE COUNTY AND MAKES GREATMONEY AS A HIGH LEVEL TECHNOLOGYSPECIALIST AT THE SOCIALSECURITY ADMINISTRATION.IN HIS LATE THEIR KNEES, HE WENTBACK TO SCHOOL AND LEARNED ABOUTCOMPUTERS.>> HAVING A JOB GIVES YOU THEFREEDOM OF SAYING, YOU ARELIVING BASED ON WHAT YOU'VEEARNED, YOU CONTRIBUTING TOSOCIETY.>> WOLF'S STORY, IS NOT THENORM, 42% OF AUTISTIC ADULTS INTHEIR 20'S ARE UNEMPLOYED.>> THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT'SGOING AWAY, THE DIAGNOSTICSTRUCTURE OF AUTISM CONTINUESAND PEOPLE DON''T STOP BEINGAUTISTIC BECAUSE THEY GRADUATE,>> AMI TAUBENFELD IS THEDIRECTOR OF ITINERIS A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS YOUNG AUTISTICADULTS FIND JOBS FOR EXAMPLE,HER DAUGHTER ANNIE STARTED AGREETING CARD BUSINESS.>> WHERE DO YOU SELL YOU CARDS >> WHOLE FOODS.I KNOW THEY'RE REALLY AWESOME.>> ITERNIS IS LITERALLY BUSTINGAT THE SEAMS UNABLE TO ACCEPTEVERYONE THAT APPLIES.THAT'S BECAUSE HALF A MILLIONAUTISTIC CHILDREN WILL EXIT THESCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE U.S. OVERTHE NEXT DECADE ABOUT 2,000 INTHE BALTIMORE METRO.>> FAMILIES ARE FINDING THEIRYOUNG ADULTS ARE FALLING OFF THECLIFF AT THE AGE OF 21 SO THISIS A VERY SERIOUS NEED.>> I THINK WE'RE DEALING WITHANXIETY, DEPRESSION, PEOPLE WHOARE NOT INCLUDED AND DON'T HAVEFRIENDS OR RELATIONSHIPS ANDTHEY DON'T HAVE A SENSE OFCONTRIBUTING BACK TO THEIRCOMMUNITY.>> DR. LISA CRABTREE RESEARCHSAUTISM AND EMPLOYMENT AND RUNS AUNIQUE PROGRAM AT TOWSON, WHICHTRAINS THE HIRING MANGERS OFTOMORROW ABOUT EMPLOYINGAUTISTIC ADULTS.>> WE'RE TRYING TO GET STUDENTSFROM ACROSS THE CAMPUS TOUNDERSTAND THESE YOUNG ADULTSWITH AUTISM HAVE SKILLS ANDABILITIES, AND THEY'REINTERESTING PEOPLE AND NOT THATDIFFERENT.>> THE BIGGEST HANDICAP WITHAUTISM IS OTHER PEOPLESEXPECTATIONS OF WHAT WE CANBECOME.>> EVERY DAY IN THE WORKPLACE,MANAGING FRUSTRATIONS ANDENGAGING IN SOCIAL INTERACTIONS,REMAINS A CHALLENGE.>> YOU TURN IT INTO SOMETHINGPOSITIVE.>> BUT HE ALSO SPEAKS TO SUPPORTGROUPS ACROSS THE NATION TELLINGAUTISTIC ADULTS THEY CAN STARTCAREERS, AND IT'S OK TO BEIMPERFECT.>> THE TRUTH IS I WANT TO BELIKE YOU, I WANT TO BENARROW TYPICAL.AND I REALLY WOULDN'T MIND BEINGNORMAL.THE THING IS, NO MATTER WHAT IDO, I AM ALWAYS GOING TO BETHIS, I'LL ALWAYS BE THE

Redefining what it means to live with autism

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Updated: 1:59 PM EDT May 10, 2017

A Maryland man and unique programs preparing autistic adults for the future are redefining what it means to live with autism.